EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (May 23, 2018)— As a result of interest from several boys U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs within the East Conference, 18 boys DA clubs in the US Youth Soccer East Region have gotten together to form the 16U US Youth Soccer National League Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference.

This conference will give these clubs a chance to participate in a competition with parallel scheduling to the DA that will culminate with a playoff and a chance to participate in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The following U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs have committed to playing in this conference for 2018-19:

Arlington Soccer Association

Baltimore Armour

Beachside SC

Bethesda SC

BW Gottschee

Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen

Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth

DC United

FC Westchester

Loudoun SC

Met Oval

NY Soccer Club

Oakwood SC

PA Classics

Philadelphia Union

Richmond United

Seacoast United

Virginia Development Academy

The 16U US Youth Soccer National League Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference — for players born in 2003 — will be part of the US Youth Soccer National Leagues program, which is launching nationwide in the 2018-19 soccer season. Teams in this conference will now have the opportunity to advance within the National Championship Series through league play.

The 16U Boys team that wins the 2018-19 league season will advance to a playoff against other top tier champions of fellow National League EDP Conferences. The winner of this playoff will advance to participate in the Eastern Regional Championships and have the opportunity to win their way to the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championships.

In addition to Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference play, as an added value to participation in the conferences of the US Youth Soccer National Leagues program, participating teams/clubs will be invited to compete in US Youth Soccer Showcase events that are to be scheduled in 2018-19 and beyond.

“This is a terrific opportunity for many of our 2003 players who won’t be making the jump to the 17U DA age group for the 2018-19 season, but will be able to continue to play in this ‘gap year’ against virtually all the Development Academy clubs in the East Region,” said George Gjokaj, Director of Soccer Operations for FC Westchester.

“Oakwood SC is looking forward to the competition in US Youth Soccer National League Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference this fall,” said Rick Derella, Director of Coaching for Oakwood SC. “We’re excited for our teams to play in an environment that will mirror the game model found in the current U.S. Soccer Development Academy.”

About EDP

Founded in 1999, Elite Development Program Soccer (EDP) is one of the largest organizers of youth soccer leagues and tournaments in the U.S. EDP operates youth leagues for boys and girls ages 9-19, conducts a Futures program for players ages 7-11, and operates U20/23 men’s and women’s leagues. EDP also runs over 20 tournaments each year. One of the major priorities of EDP’s leagues and tournaments is to enable soccer players to reach their full potential, with an emphasis on attending college. More than 3,500 teams participate in EDP’s leagues and more than 170,000 players compete in EDP tournaments annually. For more information on EDP, visit www.edpsoccer.com

About the United States Youth Soccer (US Youth Soccer)

US Youth Soccer – “The Game for ALL Kids!®” is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 Member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

About the United States Youth Soccer National League

The US Youth Soccer National Leagues Program is for the nation’s top teams in the 13U through 19U boys and girls age groups, offering additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches. In the 2018-19 soccer season, the program will include the national tier called the National League, which will feature a total of 352 teams, as well as the multi-state tier, which will be comprised of a network of several high-level competitive conferences throughout the country.

Questions: Any inquiries can be addressed by contacting Jen Marcella, Executive Director of League Operations, EDP at jen@edpsoccer.com.

Maurice Hughes, DA Director, says: “We’re thrilled and excited about the 2018-19 coaching staff. With the addition of the U15 age group next year, it gives us the opportunity to expand our coaching staff and support for the DA teams. The new coaches we’ve added bring great energy and drive to the program, which will be excellent for the players. Our goal was to add knowledgeable and ambitious coaches to the staff who are committed to youth player development. We feel that we’ve certainly accomplished that goal with these coaches.”

Loudoun Soccer is proud to announce the expansion of its Boys Development Academy to include the 15U age group for fall 2018-spring 2019.

Players born between the years of 2004-2008 will be eligible to represent Loudoun Soccer in the US Soccer’s elite Development Academy; Loudoun Soccer is one of only five clubs in the DC-Metro area to compete at this level.

The Development Academy focuses on positively impacting everyday club environments to assist in maximizing youth player development across the country. The Academy values individual development of elite players, and its philosophy centers around increased training and more meaningful games. The Academy sets the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide and is a part of U.S. Soccer’s global leadership position in youth soccer that will impact thousands of players.

“Loudoun Soccer is proud, excited, and eager to continue our journey with an expanded Boys DA program,” said Mark Ryan, Loudoun Soccer Technical Director. “It’s an exciting time to be part of our club.”

Maurice Hughes will continue his role as the club’s Boys Development Academy Director, overseeing players, coaches, curriculum, and operations.

Said Hughes: “Our expansion into the 15U age groups is a testament to the hard work our staff, players and families have put in the last two years since we were first awarded a DA membership. We look forward to continuing our growth in the Boys Development Academy both regionally and nationally.”

Loudoun Soccer DA Boys teams will be formed via ID sessions and tryouts in March, April, and May, with teams formed in the 12U, 13U, 14U, and 15U age groups to compete in the fall 2018-spring 2019 season in the Atlantic East Conference.

For additional information on the Loudoun Soccer’s Development Academy program, please review the pages to the left.

Loudoun Soccer will continue to field boys Travel teams that compete in Club Champions League (CCL I and CCL II), National Capital Soccer League (NCSL), and Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL). Girl’s teams will compete in the ECNL, CCL I & II, NCSL and ODSL.